Vet techs and groomers work with a lot of dogs. Unfortunately, some of them get bitten and attacked.
In California, groomers cannot sue dog owners for their injuries if they were handling the dog voluntarily and assumed a reasonable level of risk.
But there are ways to prevent your dog from biting during grooming.
Fear
Groomers (as well as vet techs and dog trainers) often work with dogs who snap or bite during treatment and grooming. These injuries often require medical care and can leave lasting scars. In many states, dog owners are held strictly liable for any injuries caused by their pets.
A dog who snaps or bites during a grooming session is likely frightened or nervous. This may be because of a past experience or the dog’s natural apprehension of the situation for pet shops. A growl is also a common sign of fear in dogs.
Dogs who become frightened of specific situations or stimuli are at risk of developing phobias. A phobia is more intense than fear and involves specific triggers that are feared, such as thunder, fireworks or gunshots. Anxiety is different from a phobia, in that it is more vague or anticipatory and is not based on an actual threat. The best way to prevent a phobic reaction is to expose your dog to the situation as early and frequently as possible while slowly increasing their exposure.
Pain
A dog that is in pain may become defensive and bite. This can be caused by the sounds and sights of the grooming salon, or it could be the result of the groomer touching a painful area on the dog. Pain can also make the dog less likely to move away from unwanted interactions with people, and it can cause a dog to anticipate future painful experiences as unpleasant.
A muzzle can help prevent a dog from biting during grooming sessions. However, it can be difficult to work on all parts of a dog’s body while using a muzzle. Luckily, a simple tool called a grooming loop can solve this problem. This clip-on collar prevents a dog from biting and allows the groomer to do their job without fear of injury.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help determine if you are liable for a groomer’s injuries if your dog bit them during a grooming session Dog Nutritionist Myrtle Beach. In some cases, a groomer can argue that your dog’s aggressive behavior is a realistic occupational hazard and that you should therefore not be held liable for the injuries incurred.
Displacement
Dogs may display displacement behaviors such as lip licking when they are torn between an approach and avoidance drive. These behaviors are comfort movements and can include grooming, licking the nose, sniffing and even tongue flicking.
Displacement is a normal behavior but is often displayed out of context. It is important to recognize this as a sign of anxiety and stress.
In a study examining displacement behaviors, 51 dogs were exposed to two unfamiliar humans approaching them in either a conflict or neutral situation. The study found that specific displacement behaviors such as blinking, nose licking, paw lifting and auto-grooming were exhibited more in the conflict than the neutral condition.
This is an example of how a dog can be confused in a new environment. The dog wants to approach the people but feels conflicted by their presence and is exhibiting displacement behaviour. This can escalate quickly to aggression if the conflict is not addressed.
Aggression
Pet groomers and veterinary technicians work daily with dogs that have violent propensities. Unfortunately, these professionals often get bitten during treatment and grooming. When they experience injuries, they can file personal injury claims against the dog owner.
Aggressive behavior may occur during a grooming session for numerous reasons. A dog may be feeling anxious, fearful, confused or have had bad experiences during previous grooming sessions. As a result, they may become very defensive and bite or snap at anyone that approaches them.
It’s important to communicate your dog’s temperament with grooming personnel before the grooming session. Then, the groomer can use preventive measures to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for everyone involved. A knowledgeable dog bite lawyer could help a victim with filing a claim against the dog owner if they experience injuries. In California, the dog’s owner is strictly liable for any damages caused by their pet. Even if the dog had no history of aggression before.
